IT giants Tech Mahindra signs pact University of Salford

Indian software services firm Tech Mahindra has announced a new agreement with the University of Salford to collaborate across various sectors, including smart cities.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two parties at a Manchester-India Business Summit in Manchester.

Under the MoU, students from the university will be able to get involved with Tech Mahindra projects.

Ashish Pandey, vice-president and client executive at Tech Mahindra Salford, said key areas the MoU would cover includes tech transformation projects and creating connected experiences for smart cities using automation, the Internet of Things (IoT) as well as research into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

The Indian IT consultancy had set up an office in Salford in April this year as its "HQ for the North" to tap into the regions skills.

"By plugging into research and tech talent at Salford University, we can share resources and skills to improve the standard of research we undertake," Pandey said.

"We can offer Salford University a window into the commercial tech world looking at areas such as smart cities. We can help students understand how tech is used to improve customer experience when they are interacting online with businesses in key sectors such as telecoms, manufacturing, financial services and the media industries," said Pandey, praising the universitys focus on tech as fundamental to teaching.

Helen Marshall, vice-chancellor of the University of Salford, said the MoU reflects the key goal for the organisation, which is to work closely with industry to develop the curriculum and ensure that graduates are job ready when they leave.

"We will also be looking at research and other collaboration opportunities. We have skills and expertise that can be shared to benefit both parties and society as whole. I'm excited to see what this partnership brings in the coming years, she said.

The Manchester-India Business Summit was held on Tuesday to coincide with the first T20 cricket match between India and England at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester.

The event brought together business leaders from both countries to see how Indian companies like Tech Mahindra and Hero Cycles have benefited from setting up operations in Greater Manchester.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport and Chair of the Manchester India Partnership (MIP), said: "Since the Manchester-India Partnership was established earlier this year to enhance Manchester's strategic engagement with India, significant Manchester-India investments have taken place, including the imminent launch of Manchester's first direct flight to India with Jet Airways."

MIP, a public-private initiative with a message of "Make in India, Innovate with Manchester", is aimed at encouraging Indian companies to look beyond London towards the Greater Manchester region as a UK investment hub.

Crispin Simon, British deputy high commissioner for West of India and Director General, Department for International Trade, said: "Greater Manchester's global reputation as an innovator in technology, life sciences, its expertise in the field of engineering and being home to a sizeable Indian diaspora are some of the qualities that make the city region such an attractive destination for investors, students and tourists.

"And India can offer Greater Manchester a large and high-growth market with a deep pool of skills and technology. There is so much untapped potential in so many important relationships."